Stars of Music, Film and Television Come Out to Celebrate 24th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards

Marvin Sapp Leads the List of Winners with Eight Awards, Newcomer Jonathan Nelson Wins Three and Ricky Dillard and The New G. Take Home Two

Nashville, Tenn. – The 24th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards were handed out on Saturday, January 17th at the legendary Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. Leading the list of winners is chart-topping traditional gospel singer Marvin Sapp with eight awards including “Artist of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” “Male Vocalist of the Year,” and “CD of the Year.” Jonathan Nelson nabbed three Stellar statues including “Contemporary CD of the Year,” “Group/Duo of the Year” and “Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year” for the CD “Right Now Praise,” from Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose. The ladies shined bright this evening with Jessica Green taking home the "New Artist of the Year" award and The Clark Sisters winning in the "Special Event of the Year" category.

Don Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Central City Productions, brought the prestigious award show back to Nashville , Tenn. for the 4th consecutive year, bringing excitement, anticipation and gospel music’s brightest stars to Music City . Super stars of music, film and television came out in support of the show’s 24th year, including “The View’s” Sherri Shepherd, actors Sheryl Lee Ralph and Clifton Davis, and R&B Singer Mario of “Dancing with The Stars.” Stellar performances came from the always energetic Tye Tribbett, this year’s “Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance CD of the Year” winner Kirk Franklin and last year’s Rap Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year” winner, Da’ T.R.U.T.H.

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards will air nationally on March 7, 2009 on WGN America and on March 1, 2009 on the Gospel Music Channel. Gospel Music Channel (GMC), the nation’s fastest-growing television network and the first and only 24/7 television network devoted to all forms of gospel music, will be the exclusive cable home for the 24th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. GMC will premiere the Stellar Awards on Sunday, March 1, 2009. For more information about the Gospel Music Channel, log on to www.gospelmusicchannel.com.

Please check www.thestellarawards.com for local listings. RushmoreDrive.com is the official search engine for the 24th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Go to www.RushmoreDrive.com for the first time ever exclusive airing of the Stellar Awards Pre-Show.

ABOUT CENTRAL CITY PRODUCTIONS The Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. (CCP) produces the Stellar Gospel Music Awards. It has been 23 years since the first awards show was taped at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago , and the Stellar Awards has now become the premier Gospel event that recognizes and honors African American artists. This one of a kind award show has showcased top Gospel artists and many television and film stars.

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson, produced by Barbara Wilson for Central City Productions. Michael Johnson will direct this year’s award show, and Jennifer Jackson is the Executive in Charge of production. Erma Gray Davis is the President and Chief Operations Officer of Central City Productions. Founded in 1970 by Don Jackson, Chicago-based Central City Productions is a distributor of original programming to television and cable networks. Please visit www.thestellarawards.com for more information.